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Health Welfare and Public
Safety Committee Actions
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CITY OF NORWALK
HEALTH WELFARE AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 27, 2007
ATTENDANCE: Michael Geake, Chairman; Richard McQuaid, Stephen Serasis,
Nicholas Kydes, Laurel Lindstrom, Rev. Phyllis Bolden
STAFF: Mr. Timothy Callahan, Health Department Director
OTHERS: Frank Favano, Norwalk Police Department; Mr. Donald
Barberino, Autotote Marketing and Public Relations Director;
Robert Tobin, Autotote; Mary Geake, Michelle DeLuca, Emergency Preparedness
Deputy Director, Denis McCarthy,
Norwalk Fire Chief, Sgt. Andre Velez, Norwalk Police
Department; Katherine Pytleski, Grants Coordinator; Jennifer
Lord, Norwalk Hospital
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Geake called the meeting at 7:30.
INTRODUCTIONS
Mr. Geake thanked everyone for attending. He announced that there was a minor modification to the agenda because the August 23rd meeting minutes had not been included.
** MR. MCQUAID MOVED THE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 23RD MEETING.
The following corrections were noted:
Page 1, under ATTENDANCE: Please add “Joanne Romano”
Page 1, under OTHERS: Please remove “Joanne Romano”
Page 1, under APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF JULY 26TH, 2007 MINUTES:
please change “Minutes were approved as amended by the chair.”
to “ Minutes were amended by the chair but could not be approved because there
was no quorum.”
Page 2, paragraph 3, please change the following from: “illegal activity occurring
at the
Laundromat in that area and wondered”
to: “illegal activity occurring in the rear of the Laundromat on a regular weekend
basis due to a resident complaint who sees and hears it outside her window and
wondered”
Page 2, paragraph 8, please change “ Mr. Calahan asked that this item”
to “Mr. Callahan asked that this item”
Mr. McQuaid also noted that the July 26th minutes should be put on the next agenda because they had never been approved.
** THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF AUGUST 23RD AS CORRECTED PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
REVIEW OF MINUTES OCTOBER 25, 2007
** MR. KYDES MOVED THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 25TH, 2007.
** THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 25TH, 2007 AS SUBMITTED PASSED
UNANIMOUSLY.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Environmental Software Purchase
Mr. Callahan gave an overview of the history of the custom design software for the Health Department. This fourteen year old program has reached its operating limits. He said that there have been a number of companies that have put products on the market specifically for Health Departments. Mr. Callahan said that and RFP went out, and group reviewed the various packages that were submitted. After some research, the research group found that the Garrison Enterprise produce was suitable. ITT is comfortable with this program and it will bring the Department’s information into a standardized form that can be shared with other municipalities.
Mr. Kydes asked if there would be a maintenance fee and if the grant funding would cover the cost. Mr. Callahan said that the grant funding would. Mr. Callahan said that it would be Web hosted and that there would be a list serve, so that if residents wanted to check to find out when the last time the health inspectors had visited a restaurant that would be possible.
** MR. KYDES MOVED TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF HEALTH DEPARTMENT SOFTWARE FROM
GARRISON ENTERPRISES WITH THE GRANT FUNDING AVAILABLE.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
YOUTH SERVICES
Katherine Pytleski, the City’s Grant Coordinator, presented the history of the grant from the Connecticut Health Foundation for this study.
** MS. LINDSTROM MOVED TO APPROVE THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA TO SIGN ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS FROM THE CONNECTICUT HEALTH FOUNDATION AND TO SIGN DOCUMENTS WITH SUBCONTRACTORS RELATING TO CONTRACTING, ACCEPTING FUNDS AND IMPLEMENTING THE NORWALK CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH PLANNING GRANT.
Mr. Serasis asked which department would administer it. Ms. Pytleski said that Linda Wilock of Youth Services would administer it.
Rev. Bolden said that she was thrilled to hear about this program because preventative mental health measures were in demand.
Mr. McQuaid asked what age the program would start Ms. Pytleski said that it would be for ages 6 to 14. Mr. McQuaid was pleased to hear this. Mr. Kydes said that he wished to echo what was said. He said that this might reduce the influence of gangs in the schools and neighborhood. Mr. Kydes said that he wanted to extend his thanks for Ms. Pytleski for securing this grant for Norwalk. Norwalk’s children are the future of the City.
Mr. Geake then asked if there was any idea of how many children would be participating in this type of program. Ms. Pytleski said that it was a study and that Child Guidance had suggested approximately 1,000 children might participate.
Mr. Serasis said that he would like to echo the praise and express his appreciation for this grant. He said that it was much needed for Norwalk’s youth.
Ms. Lindstrom said that as a home care nurse she had clients who were troubled youth. She felt that this program would be helpful to everyone.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Sole Source Procurement with Sutphen Corporation
Chief McCarthy said that the request is for updating an old ladder truck that is used as a back up. When the regular truck is out for repair, the reserve truck is used in responses. Chief McCarthy reviewed some of the safety features that have been developed since the original purchase of the vehicle. This would involve an enclosure of the rear portion of the cab.
Rev. Bolden asked what the life of a truck was. Chief McCarthy explained that it was about 15 years for a front line vehicle. As long as it maintained to Suffern’s standards, there should be another five or six years in the vehicle. He pointed out that with all the development that was happening, Norwalk would need two reserve vehicles in the near future.
Mr. McQuaid said that the mechanics at the Fire Department do amazing things and have created fire trucks by merging two different vehicles. Rev. Bolden agreed and encouraged everyone to go to see what they do at the garage.
A question came up about the $30,000 amount in the resolution and the $47,900 amount listed on the estimate. Chief McCarthy said that he did not know, but he would call Assistant Chief Reilly for the information.
Office Copiers for Fire and Police Departments
Chief McCarthy explained that this request would add one copier each for the Police Department and the Fire Department to the IKON Master lease. Currently, both departments have copiers that are not keeping up with the demand. Mr. Favano said that he Police Department is experiencing the same problem with keeping up with copies. Mr. Favano and Chief McCarthy then gave brief overviews on the current copier arrangement in their respective departments and explained how having a new copier at each location would benefit the Departments.
** MR. MCQUAID MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASING AGENT TO ADD NEW OFFICE COPIERS
FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS TO THE IKON OFFICE SOLUTION MASTER LEASE
AGREEMENT FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $16,121.25.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mass Notification System Alternate Resolution.
Chief McCarthy said that the Department had strongly been considering the Reverse 9-1-1 system for Norwalk but that the neighboring towns had experienced problems. Chief McCarthy explained that this proposal would be funded for a year and a half through a grant. After the bids had been received, it was determined that NTI Group/ConnectCTY was the best program for Norwalk.
Ms. DeLuca came forward and reviewed the details of the program with the Committee members. She said that this system would allow the City to be pro-active rather than reactive.
Mr. Kydes asked about the client care for Norwalk 24/7/365. Ms. DeLuca said that there would be a person assigned to the Norwalk account, but that the residents’ questions would be directed to someone local and their question would be answered within 24 hours. There will be a customized website for the residents with the number to call and other details. Mr. McQuaid asked about those who do not have a computer. Ms. DeLuca said that each household would have six points of contacts, which would include email, TTY, phone, TV and others.
Rev. Bolden said this program was wonderful.
Ms. Lord commented that as a Norwalk Hospital staff member, she works with New Canaan on various health projects. New Canaan has used this system to notify response teams and also were able to contact a subset of residents for a flu drill. She said that New Canaan was very happy with the program.
Mr. Kydes asked about the database and who would manage it. Ms. DeLuca said that the database would be created by the company. There would be some means of updating the information for the residents. Mr. Kydes said that many people will not answer the phone if they see an 800 number. Ms. DeLuca said that when Chief McCarthy makes a call, then the caller I.D. would show it is the Norwalk Fire Department calling rather than an 800 number . Ms. DeLuca said that there was a PIN number that could be utilized to prevent the message from being left on the general voice mail if there are children in the household.
Mr. Serasis asked how the New Canaan residents had reacted to the calls. Ms. Lord said that there were a number of calls but that most residents had been aware of the program. New Canaan had articles in the newspapers. There were other types of educational outreach that can be used. When asked how effective the service was, Ms. DeLuca said that there is the possibility to take a survey.
She added that a town in Massachusetts had used the system when an elderly man had gone missing. Within a half an hour, someone saw the man and the system was used again to notify the residents that the missing person had been located.
** MR. KYDES MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH NTI GROUP FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF EMERGENCY OUTCALL SERVICES FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $91,000. ACCOUNT # 350473-5744 IN THE AMOUNT OF $59,000. THE BALANCE OF $32,000 IS PENDING ADDITIONAL DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANGEMENT AND HOMELAND SECURITY (DEMHS) GRANT APPROPRIATION APPROVAL.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
FIRE DEPARTMENT CONT’D
Sole Source Procurement with Sutphen Corporation
Chief McCarthy came back before the Committee and stated that he had been able to contact Assistant Chief Reilly and that he could clarify the difference between the request for $30,000 for enclosing the rear portion of the tower ladder truck cab and the estimate from Sutphen for $47.900.00. Chief McCarthy said that estimate from the company included additional items such as repainting the truck, which the Department would do on its own.
** MR. MCQUAID MOVED TO APPROVE THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE MAYOR, RICHARD A.
MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE A SOLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT BETWEEN THE NORWALK FIRE DEPARTMENT
AND THE SUTPHEN CORPORATION TO ENCLOSE THE REAR PORTION OF THE CAB OF TOWN LADDER
FIRE TRUCK 3, NOT TO EXCEED $30,000.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Police Service Dog
Mr. Favano reviewed the details of the proposal for the purchase of a certified police service dog and introduced Sgt. Velez. Sgt. Velez came forward and pointed out that the dogs would be able to detect discarded firearms and ordnance. He then reviewed the history of the use of the dogs in detection. The dogs are rapid and mobile, which allows the police to move through a building quickly. The dogs are able to detect the odors in a noisy and distracting environment and trace it to the source.
Mr. McQuaid asked about the cost of training and maintaining the dogs. Sgt.
Velez said that Norwalk is fortunate to have training in-house for the dogs.
With a dog that works with explosives, the training is on going and the dog
must perform perfectly in the field.
Sgt. Velez said that there is a stipend for the food for the dog. He added that
it is impossible to put a value on the dog and the duties he performs. This
includes tracking, search and recovery, tactical obedience and other duties.
Mr. Serasis said that the dogs often protect officers who would otherwise be injured on the job. He said that a former police officer had told him that 99% of the time when a perpetrator sees the dog, they do not run, they just lay down on the ground.
Rev. Bolden pointed out that the editorial about the Police K-9 units helped because of the rebuttal since the public was educated by it. It is a resource for safety. Sgt. Velez said that the bite ratio was very low, with only two bites in two years and both were during police action.
** MR. KYDES MOVED TO APPROVE THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE PURCHASING AGENT, GERALD FOLEY, TO EXECUTE A PURCHASE ORDER FO THE PURCHASE OF A CERTIFIED POLICE SERVICE DOG TO BE TRAINTED, MAINTAINED AND DEPLOYED IN ORDNANCE DETECTION AND PATROL UTILITY, FROM RENBAR KENNELS, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $12,000.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
OTB SIMULCAST DISCUSSION
Mr. Tobin came forward and said that he had been representing OTB since 1993 when the business was purchased from the State. He said that there were a number of facilities around the state. This year the legislature passed an act that allow simulcast racing in ten locations, one of which is Norwalk. It merely allows the patrons to watch the races on television at the sites.
Mr. Geake said that he had visited the site and that the general understanding was that some of the monitors that show the odds would be changed to show the actual race in progress. Mr. Tobin said that this was so.
Rev. Bolden then asked why these races were not shown on television. Mr. Tobin explained that the races come over fiber optics or radio waves. Rev. Bolden asked if this would encourage people to bet more. Mr. Tobin said that it was very site specific and not all over town. Ms. Lindstrom asked what would happen if they wanted to expand. Mr. Tobin said that it would not be possible to expand at the present location. Any changes of operation would need to be approved by various agencies in Hartford. Concerns about overcrowding were expressed. Mr. Tobin replied that they are required to abide by occupancy laws.
Mr. Geake said that he would like to see the Ordinance Committee and the Health, Welfare and Safety Committee begin to address what the criteria would be for a new location, i.e. not next to a school, or a church.
Mr. Kydes asked about their current location, which is where Avalon will be building. Mr. Barberino said that the OTB has a lease through 2009. Mr. Kydes said that this was something to start to consider now. Mr. Kydes then asked if OTB decided to relocate whether the organization would have to start the permitting process all over again. Mr. Tobin said that it would.
Mr. McQuaid reminded everyone that there had been a problem with the Zebra Club holding events during church services. Mr. Tobin said that he would be happy to work with the Ordinance Committee and the City on this issue.
Ms. Lindstrom asked about the regulations. Mr. Tobin said that OTB is regulated by the State, but also subjected to City ordinances. He explained that the Department of Revenue highly regulated the OTB. Mr. Geake said that he had called Chief Rilling, who told Mr. Geake that there wasn’t a problem at OTB. Mr. Serasis said that it was his district and that he had done some informal polling with his constituents. He said that a lot of people were not happy with the idea of simlucasting. He said that he personally had nothing against OTB, but would be voting according to his constituents’ wishes.
Ms. Lindstrom commented that other cities had held public hearing. Mr. Geake said that he was inclined to hold a public hearing. He said that it would be good to hold a public hearing and then vote at the next meeting. The Committee then discussed when to hold the public hearing.
** REV. BOLDEN MOVED TO SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE OTB SIMLUCASTING ISSUE ON JANUARY 8TH FROM 7:00 P.M. TO 7:45 P.M. IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
OTHER BUSINESS
Ms. Lord reported that Norwalk Hospital had shut down the water to replace pipes for a period of time on Dec 14th. She stated that there was no significant impact to patients. As a precaution, the Hospital had informed Ms. DeLuca in advance. The work was scheduled to be done on a Friday night after OR shut down.
Mr. McQuaid said that he was at the Hospital on Christmas Day and that he was impressed with the care and attention given to the patients even on a holiday. Ms. Lord thanked him and said she would pass along his remarks to the staff.
ADJOURNMENT
** MR. KYDES MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon L. Soltes
Telesco Secretarial Service
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